by Pastor Wade Wacholz

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CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6817 ANTRIM ROAD EDINA, MN 55439-1704 PHONE: 952.941.1251 OFFICE CLOSED ON MONDAYS Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Welcome! Worship! Witness!

I m grateful for all the hosts and all of you who participated it was important and valuable time together.

I m not here to say that we collectively came up with the perfect answers to each of these questions I d probably be safer saying we all tended to scratch our heads a bit and spent more time

1 CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6817 ANTRIM ROAD EDINA, MN PHONE: OFFICE CLOSED ON MONDAYS Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Welcome! Worship! Witness! January 2019 PASTOR S PAGE by Pastor Wade Wacholz Making New Things! Last summer, it was my privilege to spend a little time getting to know all of you in our series of Get Acquainted meetings. I m grateful for all the hosts and all of you who participated it was important and valuable time together. You may all remember that in those meetings we had conversations around 3 questions: What is important about Jesus? What do you see God doing here in Edina? What do we need to learn to be vital? I m not here to say that we collectively came up with the perfect answers to each of these questions I d probably be safer saying we all tended to scratch our heads a bit and spent more time wondering than deciding. This is ok these questions aren t the kind with one true answer. What s important is our willingness to ask, and wonder and wrestle with such questions because that is where faith ultimately leads us to places where the answers aren t obvious and the questions aren t simple to places where God might be doing something new. As we come into this New Year it s time to begin thinking about the new things God may have in store for Calvary. The world around us has changed and won t stop changing and the place of churches in our society is different now. (Just read the Star Tribune series from the last few months.) What worked before may not work now. Figuring out what is vital now is going to be a challenge. Still, Calvary s missional claim is to Welcome, Worship and Witness in Jesus name. We know Jesus is at the center of our life together. In our meetings you all said Jesus was important (YES!) and one of the more frequently stated whys was your sense that Jesus is present here with us ( Immanuel! ). That s a great place to start asking how can we see, know and be Jesus presence in our community in new ways. What welcome invites us into Jesus presence? What worship helps us know Jesus among us? What witness makes Jesus more real to those around us? In 2019 let s all work together on what God s promise to make things new means for Calvary and all the neighbors we are called to serve! WEBSITE: calvaryedina@calvaryedina.org PASTOR: Wade Wacholz pastorwade@calvaryedina.com CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY: Rebekah Moir rmoir@calvaryedina.org DIRECTOR OF MUSIC: Daryl Erickson derickson@calvaryedina.org ORGANIST: Cynthia Betz crbetz1@gmail.com ADMINISTRATOR & EDITOR: Susan Burman sburman@calvaryedina.org BOOKKEEPER: Kristin Hueg krislie@hotmail.com CUSTODIAN: Robin Radosevich rodosevich0966@gmail.com In This Issue Pastor s Page 1 Children, Youth & Family 2 Time & Talents 2 Love to Tell The Story 3 January Birthdays 3 Worship & Activities 4 Be the Church 5 God with Us! 6 Calendar 7 Congregation Meeting 8 Why Jesus? 8

Alban s: Thank you for your beautiful singing, reading and acting, and for sharing with us about the light of Christ coming into the world!

program go. Cynthia Betz, accompaniment of congregational hymns. Marcia Coon, costumes Carol Dubay, accompaniment of Christmas carolers.

2 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 2 CHILDREN, YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY by Rebekah Moir WOW! Christmas Program Thank you to everyone who helped to make this year s Christmas program such a wonderful experience for everyone involved! To the kids of Calvary and St. Alban s: Thank you for your beautiful singing, reading and acting, and for sharing with us about the light of Christ coming into the world! Many thanks to: Dottie Fergus,: baking the annual Jesus cake, making costume pieces, decorating the WOW! Christmas tree, & for all the millions of big and little things she does to help make the WOW! program go. Cynthia Betz, accompaniment of congregational hymns. Marcia Coon, costumes Carol Dubay, accompaniment of Christmas carolers. Jennifer Nelson, organizing & purchasing supplies for the supper following the program. Sandy Nelson and Bonnie DeMarce-Koll, running the kitchen during the supper. Brian Strittmater, hauling theater boxes back and forth between Calvary and St. Alban s All our WOW! volunteers: Dottie Fergus, Holly Krech Thomas, Emma Marshall-Cerqueira, Sandy Nelson, Rev. John Peters, Fr. Benjamin Thomas, and Pr. Wade Wacholz. The Calvary Staff, Sue Burman, Daryl Erickson, Robin Radosevich, and Pr. Wade Wacholz. If I have inadvertently omitted anyone from this list, please know that I am deeply grateful for everyone who helped bring the story to life this year, in whatever small way. WOW! Word on Wednesdays WINTER BREAK: NO WOW! classes on January 2 nd. See you on January 9 th! Why Jesus? On Wednesdays, January 9, 16 and 23, WOW! moves to Shepherd of the Hills (SOTH) for an inter-church exploration of our faith. This three-session program, called Why Jesus?, is for everyone in confirmation class up through adults. Younger children will have a separate class, also located at SOTH. More details about this program on page 6. TIME & TALENT SURVEYS: Please return by January 6th! By Marty Fergus, Stewardship Coordinator Time and Talent Surveys for 2019 were distributed during the middle of December. So the results of the survey can be provided to committee chairs in a timely fashion, please return your completed survey to the church office, or place it in the collection plate on any Sunday, no later than Sunday, Jan. 6. Thank you! (If you need a copy, one can be found in the tract rack in the narthex, just outside the church office THREE KINGS DAY January 6 th Upcoming Events The Sunday School will host the annual Spaghetti Dinner on February 10, 2018, following worship, to raise funds for Vacation Bible School. Mark your calendars for this fun annual event! Vacation Bible School It s coming! The ground may be white, the air may be cold, but plans will soon be underway for the highlight of Calvary s summer: VBS! Planning starts in January. If you re interested in being a part of this fantastic Calvary ministry, contact Rebekah at rmoir@calvaryedina.org.

Some scholars believe that it was written as a first-aid manual for Matthew s church...for those wrestling with how to be faithful in a changing world and in difficult circumstances.

3 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 3 Sanctuary Stained Glass LOVE TO TELL THE STORY GOSPEL OF MATTHEW This year, we continue our use of the Narrative Lectionary and the three-year cycle begins with the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew, the first book of our New Testament may have been written about A.D or about 50 years after the crucifixion of Jesus. Some scholars believe that it was written as a first-aid manual for Matthew s church...for those wrestling with how to be faithful in a changing world and in difficult circumstances. For whom was he writing? Some believe it was a congregation of Jews who had become Christians and left their synagogue to form their own group of believers. As such, they may have tried to balance their old traditions & beliefs with the new reality of following Jesus Christ. So where was this? The consensus of many scholars is that it was in an urban, cosmopolitan and prosperous area filled with multiple and various points of views and possibilities. Some contend that it could have been in Alexandria of Egypt, or Caesarea Maritima of Palestine, or, even, Antioch of Syria. 15th Century, Minuscule 447 Beginning of the Gospel of Matthew As we begin a new year & face our own challenges in a changing world, perhaps the words of Matthew can be our first-aid manual & guide our way. ( Matthew, Thomas G. Long, Westminster John Knox Press, 1997 ) We each have our story.we each have our journey... Looking for your favorite poem, Bible verse, music, song or picture. Do you have a memory or a mentor that made a difference to your faith and life? This space is yours! Please share your story. See Susan Burman in the Church Office or send it to sburman@calvaryedina.org. JANUARY Birthdays Happy Birthday to you! 1/1 Robert Carlson 1/8 Marty Fergus 1/6 Kathy Hewitt 1/8 Sandy Marshall 1/7 Melva Jastram 1/9 Robin Radosevich 1/7 Ron Quilling 1/23 1/8 Mike Belanger John Lundquistz

CHECK OUT OR REVISIT OUR CHURCH WEBSITE: http://www.calvaryedina.org! CLC COFFEE HOUR following Sunday Worship Thank you to the Executive Team! They are our hosts for January!

If you would like to assist, please contact Becky Rorke, Alyson Purdy or Steve Manacek. Join us for Coffee, Love & Community! (CLC).

For January, we meet on SUNDAY: January 6 th only.

Grab a cup of coffee and meet us in the Library! MEN s BREAKFAST & FELLOWSHIP Join us on Saturday, January 12 th at 8:30 a.m. Celebrate the start of 2019, another egg-ceptional year with good yolks and good folks at the monthly Men s Breakfast!

Join us on Wednesday, January 2 nd at 10:00 a.m. The Bible Study from Gather Magazine (WELCA) guides the discussion. There is NO Women s Coffee Fellowship in January!

Selected by Modern Library as one of the best novels of all time, it captures the spirit of America in the era between the turn of the century and the First World War.

4 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 4 OUR WORSHIP & ACTIVITIES WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS at 10:30 a.m. You ARE INVITED! Come as you are! Celebrate Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays. Our Sunday Worship Service is broadcast through Southwest Community Television. Check it out on Comcast Cable TV Channel #15. See calendar on page 8 for broadcast times. CHECK OUT OR REVISIT OUR CHURCH WEBSITE: CLC COFFEE HOUR following Sunday Worship Thank you to the Executive Team! They are our hosts for January! From September through April, a member of the Church Council hosts & provides refreshments for one month, which could be 4 or 5 Sundays! If you would like to assist, please contact Becky Rorke, Alyson Purdy or Steve Manacek. Join us for Coffee, Love & Community! (CLC). SUNDAY CONNEC IONS: Word & World for the Week Ahead Join us for our twice-monthly faith formation time. We gather at 9:30 a.m. for 1/2 hour on the 1 st and 3 rd Sundays of each month. For January, we meet on SUNDAY: January 6 th only. Together, we will reach into, behind and around the Narrative Lectionary text for the day and talk about how it connects to our lives & community in the week ahead. Grab a cup of coffee and meet us in the Library! MEN s BREAKFAST & FELLOWSHIP Join us on Saturday, January 12 th at 8:30 a.m. Celebrate the start of 2019, another egg-ceptional year with good yolks and good folks at the monthly Men s Breakfast! See the sign-up list in the narthex for details. WOMEN ogether WOMEN s BIBLE STUDY & COFFEE FELLOWSHIP All are invited to our monthly Bible Study on the first Wednesday of the month. Join us on Wednesday, January 2 nd at 10:00 a.m. The Bible Study from Gather Magazine (WELCA) guides the discussion. There is NO Women s Coffee Fellowship in January! BOOK CLUB The Calvary Book Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month. We enjoy thoughtful and lively discussions. Join us on Tuesday, January 15 th at 5:30 p.m. as we discuss Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow (1975). Selected by Modern Library as one of the best novels of all time, it captures the spirit of America in the era between the turn of the century and the First World War. The story opens in 1906 in New Rochelle, New York, at the home of an affluent American family. One lazy Sunday afternoon, the famous escape artist Harry Houdini swerves his car into a telephone pole outside their house. Almost magically, the line between fantasy & historical fact, between real & imaginary characters, disappears. COME & UNDECORATE! SATURDAY, JANUARY 5 th at 9:30 a.m. COME & HELP Time to take down the garlands and tree. All are welcome! Did you know that January 6 th is Epiphany or Three Kings Day? For some, January 5 th is considered Twelfth Night and the end of Christmas.

.. Many hands together made Calvary a joyful place to celebrate Christ s birth! The 2018 Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 3 rd.

This event encourages everyone to fight hunger and poverty as we collect money & food donations on days leading to Super Bowl Sunday.

Thanks for the November Thanks Offerings! Your gifts totaled $433.00 and will support ELCA WORLD HUNGER in various church ministries with the highest need. THANK YOU! THANKS, BONNIE!

5 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 5 BE THE CHURCH.Our hearts and hands in the World & Community THANK YOU TO ALL! Thank you to all who helped make the Christmas season so festive -- getting the tree, decorating, buying poinsettias, caroling inside and out, singing & playing music, worshiping & more... Many hands together made Calvary a joyful place to celebrate Christ s birth! The 2018 Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 3 rd. Again, Calvary joins churches across American to make the Super Bowl into the Souper Bowl of Caring. This event encourages everyone to fight hunger and poverty as we collect money & food donations on days leading to Super Bowl Sunday. Look for a bucket in the narthex between January 27 th & February 3 rd! Please place your gifts of canned goods & financial donations in the Bucket! THANK YOU! NOVEMBER THANK OFFERING! Thanks for the November Thanks Offerings! Your gifts totaled $ and will support ELCA WORLD HUNGER in various church ministries with the highest need. THANK YOU! THANKS, BONNIE! BONNIE RUST SHARES: THANK YOU! It has been a privilege and challenging to coordinate the meal at Our Saviour s since Together with some great volunteers, we have served some great meals through the ears. We started this outreach in 2007, thanks to Pastor Rob Hall & Alyson Purdy. And our important support will continue! WELCOME, PAUL & PATRICIA! Paul and Patricia Thomsen will be the new meal coordinators starting in January We prepare and bring a meal to Our Saviour s six times a year on the 3 rd Sunday of the odd months. There is also a poster on the bulletin board highlighting the other items they need throughout the year. If you wish to donate items on their wish list, drop them off in the church office. If you want to make a financial gift, please put Our Saviour s on the memo line so it is allocated to the right account. Thanks to Paul and Patricia for continuing this important ministry!

6 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 6 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: God with Us! By Becky Rorke, President, Church Council Matthew 1:23. The Gospel of Matthew cites the prophecy of the sign of Immanuel from Isaiah, using a Greek translation rather than the original Hebrew. "... and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." With our recent celebration of Christ's birth, I am reminded of Isaiah's prophecy that is declared in Matthew - that "God is with us". Looking back over 2018, I am thankful for Christ's presence in Calvary's congregational life and for the guidance given to our congregation. More specifically, my thanks goes out to: Pastor Jerry's Wahl's transitional ministry that help set Calvary on a new, and renewed path Nativity c. 1420, Robert Campin Musée des Beaux-Arts de Dijon, France Calvary's Congregation, for continued prayers to be an active presence in our community Members of Calvary's Call Committee for the time, thoughtfulness, prayers to lead the process of seeking out our new pastor Calvary's Church Council, for their leadership and guidance Calvary's many, volunteers, who provide their talents in both small and grand ways to keep us on our mission path to "Welcome, Worship & Witness" Calvary's staff, who in each of their positions, contribute to our congregation life and most importantly, to our new congregational leader, Pastor Wade Wacholz. How fortunate we are for his pastoral leadership in our renewed congregational path. Just as in the time of Jesus ' birth, we, like the Shepherds, the wise men, and the inn-keeper of Bethlehem, are reminded that "God is with us" to have no fear and to live in hope, peace, and love.

m. Worship & Communion 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 3:00 p.m. Cable 7 Office Closed 8:30 p.m. Cable 8 6:30 p.m. Executive Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Church Council 9 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. SOTH Why Jesus?

7 JANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER page 7 Photo Caption MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. 10:00 a.m. Women s Bible Study 3:00 p.m. Staff Meeting 6:30 Choir Party NO WOW! 9:00 a.m. Bulletin 9:30 a.m. COME & UNDECORATE Psalm 51:10 (NRSV) 9:30 p.m. Cable 6 Baptism of our Lord Epiphany Begins 9:30 a.m. Sunday Connections 10:30 a.m. Worship & Communion 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 3:00 p.m. Cable 7 Office Closed 8:30 p.m. Cable 8 6:30 p.m. Executive Mtg. 7:00 p.m. Church Council 9 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. SOTH Why Jesus? 10 9:00 a.m. Bulletin 11:15 a.m. Meals on Wheels 9:30 p.m. Cable :30 a.m. Men s Calvary 13 Epiphany: 1st Sunday :00 a.m. Why Jesus? 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Calvary Crafters 3:00 p.m. Cable Office Closed 8:30 p.m. Cable 12Noon: Newsletter 5:30 p.m. Book Club 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. SOTH Why Jesus? 9:00 a.m. Bulletin 9:30 p.m. Cable 20 Epiphany: 2nd Sunday :00 a.m. Why Jesus? 10:30 a.m. Worship & Communion 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour Office Closed 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. SOTH Why Jesus? 9:00 a.m. Bulletin 3:00 p.m. Cable 8:30 p.m. Cable 9:30 p.m. Cable 27 Epiphany: 3rd Sunday :00 a.m. Why Jesus? 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Coffee Hour & Crafters 12:30 p.m. CONGREGATION MEETING 3:00 p.m. Cable Office Closed 8:30 p.m. Cable 6:00 p.m. Bell Choir 6:30 p.m. WOW at Calvary Coming in February! Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser for VBS!

Being able to articulate our faith helps us to claim it, and makes us better able to share it with others. Join us for a three-session workshop.

Sundays: January 13, 20, and 27 9:00-10:00 a.m.

8 JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER page 8 Semi-Annual Congregational Meeting January 27, 2019 Immediately following Worship Why Jesus? If someone were to ask you: Why you are a Christian? Why you go to church? Would you be able to answer these questions easily? Being able to articulate our faith helps us to claim it, and makes us better able to share it with others. Join us for a three-session workshop. Together, we will explore what we believe and why. Sessions are offered either Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings. Please sign up in the Narthex. Sundays: January 13, 20, and 27 9:00-10:00 a.m. Calvary Lutheran Church (Library) or Wednesdays: January 9, 16, and 23 6:30-7:30 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (SOTH) Our Mission: Calvary Lutheran Church welcomes all who desire to grow in the love and compassion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, worship the triune God, and witness in service to our community and the world.

PASTOR S PAGE by Pastor Jerry Wahl

PASTOR S PAGE by Pastor Jerry Wahl CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 6817 ANTRIM ROAD EDINA, MN 55439-1704 PHONE: 952.941.1251 OFFICE CLOSED ON MONDAYS Tuesday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Welcome! Worship! Witness! JANUARY 2018 PASTOR S PAGE by